Abstract:
Published analyses of the structure of the single comb
nests of A. florea are literally “instamatic snapshots” of nests. We
have photographically documented the developmental changes and
report on the details of the cyclical process of nest building until
eventual abandonment of the nests by swarming or migration after
13-17 weeks. Nests changes occur in fifteen distinct stages. The
growth curves of the nests show daily changes in comb length, width
and area at a rate of 40 cm2/week and provide a final structure which
is close to circular. The crown comb is constructed more quickly than
the brood comb. The results are given ecological meaningfulness
when they are placed in the context of related data on the
immigration, emigration and stability of nests over a full year.
